Self-correcting sensor for an entrance

Abstract

A radiation transmitting or sensing element is placed in a generally elongated holder of resilient material so that, if it is distorted by an accidental impact or otherwise, it will automatically re-orient itself when the intruding force is released. The invention is especially useful in safety accessories for automatic overhead doors, garages, and the like.

1. A self-correcting sensing element device comprising:
 a base adjacent a doorway fastened to a doorjamb or other stationary structure 
 an elongated support member having a base end, a working end, and an axis in the direction of elongation, said base end fastened to said base; and 
 a sensing element in said working end, wherein said support member is formed of a flexible material that renders the elongated support member (i) capable of being bent about the axis more than 90 degrees from a starting shape in response to an application of a first force and (ii) capable of returning to the starting shape upon removal of the first force, whereupon: 
 in the absence of an applied second force, the support member has a first shape, 
 in response to the application of the second force, the support member bends whereupon the working end moves relative to the base end and the support member assumes a second shape different than the first shape; and 
 in response to the removal of the second force, the flexible material forming the support member returns said support member to its first shape. 
 
   
   
     2. The sensing element device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensing element is oriented transverse to said axis. 
   
   
     3. The sensing element device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensing element is oriented parallel with said axis. 
   
   
     4. The sensing element device of  claim 1 , wherein said support member is made of a material having a durometer Shore hardness A in the range of 40 to 80. 
   
   
     5. The sensing element device of  claim 4 , wherein said material has a durometer Shore hardness A in the range of 50 to 70. 
   
   
     6. The sensing element device of  claim 1 , including wires for providing power to said sensing element, said wires being strung through said support member. 
   
   
     7. The sensing element device of  claim 1 , including wires for connecting said sensing element to a system for detecting the presence of a person or object in a doorway. 
   
   
     8. The sensing element device of  claim 7  installed in a doorway. 
   
   
     9. The sensing element device of  claim 7 , wherein said sensing element is oriented 90° from said axis. 
   
   
     10. The sensing element device of  claim 7 , wherein said sensing element is a photocell. 
   
   
     11. The sensing element device of  claim 7 , wherein said sensing element is a microwave transceiver. 
   
   
     12. The sensing element device of  claim 7 , wherein said sensing element is an ultrasonic device. 
   
   
     13. A safety system for an automatic door for opening and closing a path through a doorway, for detecting a person or object in said path in the process of opening or closing said automatic door, comprising:
 at least one radiation element positioned to detect presence or motion in or near said doorway; and 
 an electrical presence detecting system responsive thereto, wherein said at least one radiation element is mounted on a flexible elongated support having a first end held stationary by a structure adjacent the doorway and a second end that moves from a starting position relative to the first end in response to the application of a first force to the flexible, elongated support, the second end of said flexible, elongated support returning to its starting position upon release of the first force the flexible, elongated support is formed of a material that renders the flexible, elongated support (i) capable of being bent more than 90 degrees from a starting shape in response to an application of a second force and (ii) capable of returning to the starting shape upon removal of the second force. 
 
   
   
     14. The safety system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said radiation elements is mounted transverse to the direction of elongation of said support. 
   
   
     15. The safety system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said radiation elements is mounted at the end of one of said flexible elongated supports. 
   
   
     16. The safety system of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible generally elongated support is made of material having a durometer Shore hardness A in the range of 40–80. 
   
   
     17. The safety system of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible generally elongated support is made of material having a durometer Shore hardness A in the range of 50–70. 
   
   
     18. The safety system of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one radiation element is a photocell. 
   
   
     19. The safety system of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one of said radiation elements is a passive radiation element. 
   
   
     20. A system for detecting a person or object in the path of an automatic door in the process of opening or closing, said path being a predetermined path for opening and closing said automatic door, comprising a detecting system for detecting said person or object, said detecting system including at least one radiation transmitter on one side of said door and at least one radiation detector on the other side of said door, wherein each of said transmitter and said detector is mounted on an elongated support, that has a first end affixed to a stationary object adjacent the path of said automatic door, each elongated support being made of a flexible material that renders the elongated support (i) capable of being bent more than 90 degrees from a starting shape in response to an application of a first force and (ii) capable of returning to the starting shape upon removal of the first force whereupon:
 in response to the application of second force, the elongated support flexes whereupon the corresponding transmitter or detector moves from a first position to a second position; and 
 in response to removal of the second force, the material forming the elongated support returns the corresponding transmitter or detector to its first position.